Image processing apparatus

ABSTRACT

An image processing apparatus obtains an exact distance of a marking portion shown on a document image based upon a magnification (reduction) shown on a document image such as a map. etc. following the sequence of processes as mentioned below. First, a reduction value and a marking portion are recognized from an image data of a document image, and the marking portion is combined with the image data. Next, a dimension of the marking portion is obtained, and the exact distance of the marking portion is calculated based upon the obtained dimension and the reduction value. Then, after the distance value has been combined with the image data, the image data is outputted (copied). By adopting the processes, for example, in the case where an exact distance of a predetermined interval on the map is expected to be obtained, the desired distance value is shown in an outputted image only by preliminarily describing a marking on a specified interval in the document image. This makes it possible to improve added value of the apparatus when the image processing apparatus is applied to a digital copying machine and the like.

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 08/228,400filed on Apr. 15, 1994 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,424,853), the entirecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to image processing apparatuses, such ascopying machines, facsimiles, scanner printers, for supplying apredetermined process to image data of an original document, which havebeen read by input means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recently, an image processing apparatus, for example, a copying machinewhich is capable of enlarging and reducing has been spread through theworld. Such a copying machine, which can easily provide copying imagesof a desired magnification for document images, is in common use forcopying maps, design drawings of machines and buildings and the like.

Further, as to such kind of a copying machine, a digital copying machineis also in common use. The digital copying machine reads scanneddocument images by using an image pickup element such as a CCD (ChargeCoupled Device) sensor, etc. and stores the image data in an imagememory. The digital copying machine then enlarges or reduces the imagedata, and outputs the image data. Since such a machine temporarilystores image data of a document the an image memory, it is easy toenlarge or reduce the image data.

In the processes of enlargement and reduction, longitudinal and lateralmagnifications may be set differently. Further, a copying magnificationis suitably set by an operator (manual magnification setting), orautomatically set according to a size of a copy sheet (automaticmagnification setting).

However, with respect to processes of enlargement and reduction, since aconventional digital copying machine is capable of only enlarging orreducing a whole image, the function is low in spite of the advantage ofan easy process for image data, thereby causing low added value.

Therefore, an image processing apparatus such as the above-mentionedcopying machine is hoped to be developed so as to have a function whichcan solve following problems and so as to rise added value of theapparatus.

For example, although design drawings of machines and buildings are madein an exact dimension or an accurate magnification, when they are copiedby a copying machine, the copy image is very difficult to determinewhether a dimension of the copy image is same as the exact dimension,enlarged, or reduced. Furthermore, after enlarging and reducing arerepeated, the magnifications of the drawing becomes difficult to bediscriminated. As a result it is hard to grasp the exact dimension.

In addition, since blank portions were also enlarged or reduced, when adrawing is returned to its exact dimension, there cause problems thatthe image is too large or too small for a specified size of sheets. Morespecifically, it is very troublesome to return a drawing to its originalaspect ratio after the lengthwise and breadthwise magnifications of thedrawing have been set separately so as to be copied. Further, during acopying operation, a distortion of a copy image may occur, due tolifting or twisting of a document, so that the copy image inclines.

Incidentally, when you want to know the distance of a specified sectionof a road shown in a map, you have took the measure of the distance onthe map by using a ruler, and multiplied the measured value by areduction value of the map. However, such a way requires a lot oftroublesome works such as measuring a length and multiplying themeasured length by a reduction value of the map. In addition, since thelength is measured on the map, the accurate distance cannot be obtained.When an exact dimension and a scales of a reduction value are not shownin a map, it is almost impossible to know a dimension and a distance.

In not only a copying machine but also a facsimile and an imageprocessing apparatus having a scanner, it is occasionally difficult toprocess read image data because of inaccuracy of a dimension and adistance, an error in the magnification of a lengthwise magnification toa breadthwise magnification, distortion of a copy image, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processingapparatus which is capable of easily compensating for an enlargement ora reduction magnifications, finding a distance on a map, andcompensating for a distortion of an image.

In order to accomplish the above object, a first image processingapparatus of the present invention includes:

image input means for reading a document image;

magnification recognition means for recognizing a magnification of thedocument image to an actual image, which is shown on the document image,from image data of the document image read by said image input means;

mark recognition means for recognizing interval marks shown in thedocument image from the image data of the document image;

dimension calculating means for calculating a dimension of intervalswhich have been specified by the interval marks;

conversion means for converting a dimension of the interval to a lengthwith the magnification of 1 based upon the magnification; and

combining means for combining the image data with data of the conversionvalue obtained by said conversion means.

With the arrangement, a magnification is recognized by the magnificationrecognition means from image data of a document image, and a intervalmark is recognized by the mark recognition means. Then, a dimension ofan interval specified by the interval marks is calculated by thedimension calculating means, and the calculated dimension is convertedby the conversion means. For example, in the case where themagnification is 1/1500, if the dimension of the interval is 200 mm, anexact distance of the interval in the case of the magnification of 1becomes 300 m.

Data of conversion values which have been converted as mentioned aboveare combined with the image data by the combining means. Therefore, dataof the exact distances are added to the combined image data.

When an arbitrary interval on the document image is marked, the markedportion undergoes the above-mentioned processes, and the actual distanceof the marked portion is added to the document image. Moreover, theexact distance of the marked portion can be easily found by visualizingand outputting the combined data. Therefore, when an exact distance ofan arbitrary interval on a map, etc., is desired to be found, thetroublesome works such as taking a measure by using a ruler andmultiplying the measured value by a reduction value are not required.

A second image processing apparatus of the present invention includes:

image input means for reading a document image;

area specifying means foe specifying an arbitrary area in the documentimage read by said image input means;

interval specifying means for specifying arbitrary intervals in thedocument image;

dimension calculating means for calculating a dimension of theintervals;

dimension input means for inputting a prescribed dimension of theintervals;

ratio calculating means for calculating a ratio of the intervaldimension to the prescribed dimension;

first magnification setting means for setting a reciprocal of the ratioas a first magnification of the specified area which has been specifiedby said area specifying means;

first conversion means for converting a size of a first image within thespecified area in accordance with the first magnification;

second magnification setting means for setting a second magnification ofan unspecified area so that a second image in the unspecified area doesnot exceed a predetermined size of sheets, the unspecified area beingother than the specified area on a sheet of a predetermined size whichis provided for the first image whose size has been converted by saidfirst conversion means;

second conversion means for converting the size of the second image inaccordance with the second magnification; and

combining means for combining image data of both the images whose sizeshave been converted by said first and said second conversion means.

With the arrangement, an arbitrary area on a document image is specifiedby the area specifying means, and an arbitrary interval is specified bythe interval specifying means. Then, a dimension of the interval iscalculated by the dimension calculating means. Meanwhile, when aprescribed dimension of the interval is inputted by the dimension inputmeans, the ratio of the interval dimension to the prescribed dimensionis calculated by the ratio calculating means.

Next, when the first magnification of the specified area is set by thefirst magnification setting means based on the calculated ratio, a sizeof the first image within the specified area is converted by the firstconversion means in accordance with the first magnification. Then, thesecond magnification in an unspecified area which is other than thespecified area is set by the second magnification setting means based onthe first image whose size has been converted and a predetermined sizeof sheets. More specifically, the second magnification is set so thatthe second image in the unspecified area is within the space which isleft by deducting the specified area from the whole space of the sheet.Then, the size of the second image is converted by the second conversionmeans in accordance with the second magnification.

Therefore, only the first image in the specified area is converted at anarbitrary magnification, and the second image in the unspecified area isconverted to a magnification according to a predetermined size. Theimage data of both the converted images are combined by the combiningmeans so as to be combined image data which are within the predeterminedsize of sheets. Moreover, an image, which has been converted to anarbitrary size, can be obtained by visualizing and outputting thecombined data.

In the above-mentioned arrangement, in the case where an image, whichhas been obtained by reducing or enlarging an original image, is used asa document image, the document image can be converted to a size of theoriginal image even if a reduction or an enlargement magnification isunclear. More specifically, when a prescribed dimension of the specifiedinterval on the document image is changed to a dimension of an intervalon the original image, that is, an exact dimension, the interval on thedocument image is converted to the exact dimension.

The above-mentioned processes make it possible to convert the specifiedfirst image to an arbitrary size even if it is unclear whether thedocument image has an exact dimension, is enlarged or reduced.Similarly, even if the magnification of the document image to theoriginal image is unclear due to repetitions of enlarging and reducing,the specified first image can be converted to an arbitrary size.Further, when a size of the second image, which is not necessary to beconverted at the first magnification, is converted at the secondmagnification, the first and the second images whose sizes have beenconverted are within a sheet of a predetermined size. Therefore, when avariable magnification copying of a drawing is carried out, an image ofa suitable size according to a predetermined size of a sheet can beobtained.

A third image processing apparatus of the present invention includes:

image input means for reading a document image;

interval specifying means for specifying an arbitrary interval in adocument image read by said image input means;

dimension calculating means for calculating a dimension of the interval;

dimension input means for inputting a prescribed dimension of theinterval;

ratio calculating means for calculating a ratio of the dimension of theinterval to the prescribed dimension;

magnification input means for inputting an arbitrary magnification to anexact dimension which is equivalent to the prescribed dimension;

conversion magnification calculating means for calculating a conversionmagnification, which is used in the case where a size of the documentimage is converted, in accordance with the ratio and the magnificationso that the document image has the same dimension as an image which hasbeen obtained by converting a size of the image having an exactdimension of the document image at a magnification inputted by saidmagnification input means; and

conversion means for converting a size of the document image inaccordance with the conversion magnification.

With the arrangement, when an arbitrary interval on a document image isspecified by the interval specifying means, a dimension of the intervalis calculated by the dimension calculating means. Meanwhile, when aprescribed dimension of the interval is inputted by the dimension inputmeans, a ratio of the interval dimension to the prescribed dimension iscalculated by the ratio calculating means.

When an arbitrary magnification to the prescribed dimension (exactdimension) is inputted by the magnification input means, a conversionmagnification is calculated by the conversion magnification calculatingmeans, and the size of the document image is converted by the conversionmeans based on the conversion magnification. Therefore, the convertedimage has the same size as the image obtained by converting the image ofthe document image having the exact dimension at the above-mentionedmagnification. In addition, an image which has been converted to anarbitrary dimension to the exact dimension can be obtained byvisualizing and outputting the combined data.

In the above-mentioned arrangement, when an image obtained by reducingor enlarging an original image having an exact dimension is used as adocument image, a dimension of the document image can be converted at anarbitrary magnification to the image having the exact dimension even ifthe reduction or the enlargement magnification is unclear. Morespecifically, the prescribed dimension of the interval on the documentimage is changed to the exact dimension, the interval is converted onthe basis of the exact dimension.

The above-mentioned processes make it possible to convert the dimensionof the document image even if it is unclear whether the document imagehas the same dimension as the image having the exact dimension, enlargedor reduced. In addition, when the magnification of the document image tothe image having the exact dimension is unclear due to repetitions ofenlarging and reducing, the size of the document image can be convertedon the basis of the image having the exact dimension.

A fourth image processing apparatus of the present invention includes:

image input means for reading a document image;

interval specifying means for specifying an arbitrary interval in thedocument image read by said image input means;

dimension calculating means for calculating a dimension of the interval;

dimension input means for inputting a prescribed dimension of theintervals specified by said interval specifying means;

first ratio calculating means for calculating a first ratio of thedimension of the intervals to the prescribed dimension;

magnification input means for inputting an arbitrary magnification tothe document image;

conversion means for converting a size of the document image inaccordance with the magnification;

second ratio calculating means for calculating a second ratio of thedimension of the intervals in the document image, whose size has beenconverted by said conversion means, to the prescribed dimension inaccordance with the first ratio and the magnification; and

combining means for combining the data of the second ratio with theimage data of the document image.

With the arrangement, when an arbitrary interval on a document image isspecified by the interval specifying means, a dimension of the intervalis calculated by the dimension calculating means. Meanwhile, when aprescribed dimension of the interval is inputted by the dimension inputmeans, the first ratio of the interval dimension to the prescribeddimension is calculated by the first ratio calculating means.

When an arbitrary magnification to the document image is inputted by themagnification input means, the size of the document image is convertedby the conversion means at the inputted magnification. Meanwhile, thesecond ratio is calculated by the second ratio calculating means basedon the first ratio and the magnification. Then, the data of the secondratio is combined with the image data of the document image by thecombining means. In addition, an image converted to an arbitrary size tothe exact dimension can be obtained by visualizing and outputting thecombined data.

In the above-mentioned arrangement, in the case where an image which hasbeen obtained by reducing or enlarging an original image is used as adocument image, when the document image is enlarged or reduced at anarbitrary magnification (a first magnification), a magnification to theoriginal image (a second magnification) is added to the obtained image.More specifically, when a prescribed dimension of an interval on thedocument image is changed to the exact dimension, the interval isconverted on the basis of the exact dimension.

The above processes make it possible to find what magnification to aprescribed dimension (a dimension of an original image) is used forobtaining an image which have been enlarged or reduced even if it isunclear whether an document image has an exact dimension, enlarged orreduced.

A fifth image processing apparatus of the present invention includes:

image input means for reading a document image;

segment recognition means for recognizing two segments which cross eachother in the document image read by said image input means;

rectangular cross discrimination means for discriminating whether or notthe two segments cross at a right angle to each other; and

rectangular cross compensation means for compensating for the image dataof the document image so that the two segments cross at the right angleto each other when a discrimination is made by said rectangular crossdiscrimination means that the two segments do not cross at the rightangle to each other.

With the arrangement, when two segments which cross each other in adocument image are recognized by the segment recognition means, adiscrimination is made as to whether or not the two segments are atright angles to each other by the rectangular cross discriminationmeans. This discrimination is made, for example, by checking whether ornot a triangle, which is formed by the intersection of the segments andrespective end points of the segments, is a right triangle. When thediscrimination is made that the segments are not at right angles to eachother, the image data is compensated by the rectangular crosscompensation means. This compensation is made, for example, bytransferring either of the segments. In addition, an image which hasbeen compensated for a distortion can be obtained by visualizing andoutputting the compensated data.

In the above-mentioned arrangement, when a document image is obtained bycopying an original image and a distortion is caused then, thedistortion can be compensated.

A sixth image processing apparatus of the present invention includes:

image input means for reading a document image of a map;

reduction ratio input means for inputting a reduction ratio of the map;

reference point input means for inputting a reference point on a roadshown in the map;

interval input means for inputting predetermined intervals on the roadby an exact distance;

unit length calculating means for calculating a unit length which isequal to a length of a unit distance on the map in accordance with thereduction ratio;

conversion means for converting the intervals to the length on the mapby the unit length;

road recognition means for recognizing the road from the image datastarting at a reference point by superimposing the reference point onthe image data of the document image read by said image input means; and

combining means for combining marking data with the image data of theroad, which have been recognized by said road recognition means, foreach converted interval which has been converted by said conversionmeans.

With the arrangement, prior to a marking process, all sorts ofinformation related to the map is inputted. More specifically, areduction ratio is inputted by the reduction ratio input means, areference point on a road of a map is inputted by the reference pointinput means, and a predetermined interval on the road is inputted by theinterval input means at the exact distance. Then, a unit length on themap is calculated by the unit length calculating means at the reductionratio. Meanwhile, the interval is converted to the length on the map bythe conversion means based upon the unit length.

Moreover, in the road recognition means, the reference point issuperimposed on the image data, and the road of the image data isrecognized starting at the reference point. Then, data of the markingsare combined with the image data of the road by the combining means foreach conversion interval. Further, an image which has been marked can beobtained by visualizing and outputting the combined data.

In the above-mentioned arrangement, since marks are added to the road ofthe map per inputted intervals, the distance of the road can be foundeasily.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of theinvention, reference should be made to the ensuing detailed descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a drawing which schematically shows a construction of thedigital copying machine according to the first and the secondembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an operation panel and a coordinateinput sections provided in the above-mentioned digital copying machine.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram which shows a construction of a control systemprovided in the above-mentioned digital copying machine.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart which shows an operation of a marking mode in thedigital copying machine according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5(a) is a schematic drawing which shows a state of a document imageto be processed in the above-mentioned marking mode.

FIG. 5(b) is a schematic drawing which shows a state where a markingportion is extracted from the image.

FIG. 5(c) is a schematic drawing which shows a state of an image copiedin the marking mode.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart which shows the operation of a compensation modein the above-mentioned digital copying machine.

FIG. 7(a) is a schematic drawing which shows points to be pressed downat the time of inputting coordinates of an area and a distance on thedocument in the compensation mode.

FIG. 7(b) is a schematic drawing which shows a state of an image copiedin the compensation mode.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram which shows a main portion of the digitalcopying machine according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a drawing which explains a document and copies obtained bycarrying out a variable magnification copying process on the document.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart which shows the sequence of processes forobtaining copies of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart which shows the sequence of processes forreading data of a dimension line on a document during processes of FIG.10.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory drawing which shows a document and copiesobtained by carrying out a variable magnification copying process and avariable printing process on the document.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart which shows the sequence of processes forobtaining copies of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory drawing which shows a document and copiesobtained by carrying out a variable magnification copying process with adistortion compensation on the document.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart which shows the sequence of processes forobtaining copies of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory drawing which shows a map and the printed mapobtained by carrying out an added marking process on the map.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart which shows the sequence of processes forobtaining the printed map of FIG. 16.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 7, the following description will discussthe first embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a digital copying machine, which is an imageprocessing apparatus of the present embodiment, is provided with adocument platen 27 made of a hard transparent glass plate, etc. that isinstalled on the upper end of a copying machine main body 26. Asillustrated in FIG. 2, an operation panel section 39 adjoining thedocument platen 27 is installed on the upper surface of the copyingmachine main body 26.

The operation panel section 39 includes a ten-key (dimension inputmeans) 37, a compensation mode setting key 38, a marking mode settingkey 40, a magnification display mode setting key 41 and a liquid crystaldisplay panel 42. The liquid crystal display panel 42 is constituted ofa touch panel which is provided with a touch sensor. The liquid crystaldisplay panel 42 is capable of displaying all kinds of information fromthe main body apparatus, and transmitting designations of mode settings,etc. by using the touch panel to an image processing CPU 74 which isprovided in an image processing section, mentioned later. The ten keys37 are used for inputting an exact dimension of a specified intervalwhen a marking mode, mentioned later, is specified.

Furthermore, a tablet-type coordinate input section (area specifyingmeans and interval specifying means) 100, which is also used as adocument platen cover, is installed on the upper surface of the documentplaten 27. The coordinate input section 100 includes a tablet board 100aand a point pen 100b. A point on the tablet board 100a is pressed by thepoint pen 100b, thereby outputting the coordinate of the pressed pointto the image processing CPU 74, mentioned later. The coordinate inputsection 100 is used for inputting a specified area and a specifyinginterval when a compensation mode is specified.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 1, a scanner unit (image input means) 22having a lamp unit 1, mirrors 2, 3 and 4, a lens unit 5, a CCD (ChargeCoupled Device) sensor 6, etc. is installed below the document platen27. A reflected light beam, which is obtained by irradiating a document(not shown) placed on the document platen 27 by using the lamp unit 1,is sent to the light-receiving face of the CCD sensor 6 through themirrors 2, 3 and 4 and the lens unit 5, and detected therein as electricsignals.

A laser driver unit 7 is installed below the scanner unit 22. Image dataof the document, which are detected as the electric signals by the CCDsensor 6, are temporarily stored in a main memory 73, mentioned later,installed in the image processing section. After undergoing apredetermined process in the image processing section, the image dataare sent to the laser driver unit 7. The laser driver unit 7 includes asemiconductor laser, a polygon mirror, an f-θ lens, etc. which are notshown. The semiconductor laser projects a laser beam in response toimage data inputted to the laser driver unit 7. The polygon mirrordeflects the laser beam in a constant angular velocity. The f-θ lenscompensates for the laser beam which have been deflected in a constantangular velocity so that the laser beam is further deflected in aconstant velocity on a photoreceptor drum 10.

A laser beam released from the laser driver unit 7 is reflected by themirrors 8 and 9 provided on the light path, and projected onto thephotoreceptor drum 10 which is capable of rotating in the direction ofarrow A as shown in FIG. 1, thereby forming an electrostatic latentimage on the photoreceptor 10. A charger 16, a developing device 28, atransferring belt 17, a cleaning unit 21, a charge eliminating lamp 15,etc. are installed in this order on the periphery of the photoreceptordrum 10.

The charger 16 charges the surface of the photoreceptor drum 10 so as toimpart a predetermined potential prior to an exposure executed by thelaser driver unit 7. The developing device 28 supplies toner onto theelectrostatic latent image so that a toner image is formed on thephotoreceptor drum 10. The toner image on the photoreceptor drum 10 isintermediately transferred onto the transferring belt 17. The cleaningunit 21 scrapes the residual toner off from the photoreceptor drum 10.The charge eliminating lamp 15 eliminates the residual electricpotential from the photoreceptor drum 10 prior to next charging.

The developing unit 28 includes a black developer vessel 11, a yellowdeveloper vessel 12, a magenta developer vessel 13 and a cyan developervessel 14, and those developer vessels 11 through 14 respectively housetoner having corresponding colors. The transferring belt 17, which isprovided in the form of an endless belt, is installed so as to move inthe direction of arrow B of FIG. 1, and one portion of the transferringbelt 17 is pressed against the photoreceptor drum 10 such that the tonerimage on the photoreceptor drum 10 is transferred thereonto.

A register roller 19 for feeding copy sheets onto the transferring belt17 at predetermined intervals, a feeding cassette 20 for storing copysheets and a feeding tray 23 whereon copy sheets are placed areinstalled on the paper-feeding side of the transferring belt 17. Afeeding roller 24, a transporting roller 25, etc. for transporting copysheets are installed in the proximity of the feeding cassette 20 and thefeeding tray 23.

A transferring roller 18 is installed below the transferring belt 17.The transferring roller 18 presses a copy sheet sent from the registerroller 19 against the transferring belt 17 so as to transfer the tonerimage on the transferring belt 17 onto the copy sheet.

A transporting belt 30 for transporting copy sheets whereon the tonerimage has been transferred, a fixing device 31 for fusing the tonerimage onto a copy sheet by using heat and a discharging roller 32 fordischarging the copy sheet whereon the toner image has been fused byheat outside the apparatus are installed on the paper-discharging sideof the transferring belt 17. The image output means is constituted ofthe laser driver unit 7, the photoreceptor drum 10, the charger 16, thetransferring belt 17, the cleaning device 21, the charge eliminatinglamp 15, the black developer vessel 11, the yellow developer vessel 12,the magenta developer vessel 13, the cyan developer vessel 14, thefeeding cassette 20, etc.

In the above arrangement, a color-copy (3 color copy) operation iscarried out in the following sequence. First, the charger 16 uniformlycharges the surface of the photoreceptor drum 10, and the scanner unit22 executes the first scanning. Image data detected by the CCD sensor 6are processed in the image processing section, and are outputted fromthe laser driver unit 7 as a laser beam of yellow data. The surface ofthe photoreceptor drum 10 is exposed by the laser beam, and anelectrostatic latent image for yellow-use is formed on the exposedportion of the photoreceptor drum 10. Then, the electrostatic latentimage within the image region is changed to a yellow toner image byyellow toner supplied from the yellow developer vessel 12.

Next, the yellow toner image is transferred onto the transferring belt17 which is pressed against the photoreceptor drum 10. At this time,although some toner that has not been consumed in the transferringprocess remains on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 10, theresidual toner is scraped off by the cleaning unit 21. Moreover, theresidual charge on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 10 iseliminated by the charge eliminating lamp 15.

After completion of the above process, the charger 16 uniformly chargesagain the surface of the photoreceptor drum 10, and the scanner unit 22executes the second scanning. The image data obtained by the aboveprocess, are processed in the image processing section, and areconverted to a laser beam as magenta data. The photoreceptor drum 10 isexposed by the converted laser beam such that an electrostatic latentimage for magenta-use is formed. Then, the electrostatic latent image ischanged to the same magenta toner image by the magenta toner suppliedfrom the magenta developer vessel 13. The magenta toner image istransferred onto the transferring belt 17 so as to be superimposed onthe former yellow toner image.

Then, when the cleaning unit 21 and the charge eliminating lamp 15execute the same processes as before, the charger 16 uniformly chargesthe photoreceptor drum 10, and the scanner unit 22 executes the thirdscanning. The photoreceptor drum 10 is exposed by the laser beam whichhas been obtained by converting the cyan data, and an electrostaticlatent image for cyan-use is formed on the exposed portion of thephotoreceptor drum 10. The electrostatic latent image is changed to acyan toner image by the cyan toner supplied from the cyan developervessel 14, and the cyan toner image is transferred to the transferringbelt 17. As a result, the cyan toner image is superimposed on the yellowand magenta images on the transferring belt 17.

The superimposed toner images on the transferring belt 17 aretransferred onto a copy sheet, and fused onto the copy sheet by heat inthe fixing device 31, and the copy sheet is discharged out of theapparatus by the discharge roller 32.

The sequence of the processes described above is a sequence for carryingout a three-color copying operation. In the case of a four-color copyingoperation, a process using black toner in the black developer vessel 11is added to the above-mentioned sequence. In the case of ablack-and-white copying operation, black toner is supplied to theelectrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor drum 10 from the blackdeveloper vessel 11, and the black toner image thus formed istransferred onto a copy sheet through the transferring belt 17.

The following description will discuss the construction, functions, etc.of the image processing section.

The image processing section processes image data read by the CCD sensor6, and outputs the processed image data to the laser driver unit 7. Theimage processing section concretely executes color reproductionaccording to a document, and combining of images at the time when eachprocessing mode, mentioned later, is specified. As shown in FIG. 3, theimage processing section includes an image data input section 70, animage processing section 71, an image data output section 72, a mainmemory 73, an image processing CPU (Central Processing Unit) 74 and amarking discrimination circuit 80.

The image data input section 70 includes a CCD section 70a, a histogramprocessing section 70b and an error diffusion section 70c. The imagedata input section 70 applies a binarizing conversion to the image dataof the document read by the CCD sensor 6, and processes the image datain accordance with an error diffusion method while taking a histogram asan amount of binary digital. The image data outputted from the imagedata input section 70 are temporarily stored in the main memory 73including an RAM (Random Access Memory), etc.

As to the process of the image data in the image data input section 70,its further explanation will be given in detail. First, in the CCDsection 70a, after undergoing an A/D conversion, analog electric signalsaccording to each picture element density of the image data is subjectto an MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) compensation, a black-and-whitecompensation or a gamma compensation so as to be outputted to thehistogram processing section 70b as digital signals having a tone of 256(8 bits).

Next, in the histogram processing section 70b, additions are done on thedigital signals outputted from the CCD section 70a according to thepicture element density in a tone of 256, and the added values areobtained as density information (histogram data). In the histogramprocessing section 70b, the density information obtained as the occasiondemands is sent to the image processing CPU 74, and sent to the errordiffusion section 70c as picture element data.

Moreover, the error diffusion section 70c converts the digital signalhaving 8 bits/picture element, which has been outputted from the CCDsection 70a, to one bit (binary) in accordance with the error diffusionmethod which is a kind of a pseudo half-tone process, and executes arecollocation operation for accurately reproducing a local area densityon a document. The error diffusion method allows an error occurred atthe time of binarizing conversion to reflect the binary discriminationof adjoining picture elements.

The image processing section 71 includes multi-valuing sections 71a and71b, a combining section 71c, a density conversion section 71d, avariable magnification section 71e, an image processing section 71f, anerror diffusion section 71g, a compression section 71h and a characterrecognition section 71i.

The image processing section 71 converts inputted image data to imagedata that an operator desires. The output image data which have beenfinally converted are stored in the main memory 73. However, respectiveprocessing sections in the image processing section 71 function as theoccasion demands, so they may not function in some cases.

The following description will discuss the functions of respectiveprocessing sections in the image processing section 71. First, in themulti-valuing sections 71a and 71b, the data that was binarized in theerror diffusion section 70c are again converted to a tone of 256. In thecombining section 71c, logical operations for each picture element, thatis, OR, AND or exclusive-OR is selectively executed. The data subject tothese operations become picture element data stored in the main memory73, and bit data from a pattern generator (P.G.) where preset words,phrases and symbols are stored.

Next, in the density conversion section 71d, with respect to the digitalsignal having a tone of 256, the relation between the input density andoutput density is arbitrarily set according to a prescribed toneconversion table. Further, in the variable magnification section 71e,interpolation is executed by using known data, which has been inputtedin the variable magnification section 71e, according to an indicatedvariable magnification, thereby obtaining picture element data (densityvalues) corresponding to a magnified picture element. The verticalscanning is magnified, then the horizontal scanning is magnified.

In the character recognition section 71i, the inputted image data aretaken in a memory, not shown, installed in the character recognitionsection 71i. Here, a character string is extracted from the characterimage in the memory, and characters are cut out one by one. Then, thefeature of the cut-out character is extracted, and referring to asorting dictionary, a character that is most similar to the cut-outcharacter is selected so as to be sent to the image processing section71f and the image processing CPU 74. Namely, in the characterrecognition section 71i, when the marking mode is specified, a reductionmagnification of a circled portion (see FIG. 5(a)) undergoes a characterrecognition by using the image data detected in the scanner unit 22.

In the image processing section 71f, the inputted picture element dataundergo various image processes, and information collection such as afeature extracting is performed for string data. The error diffusionsection 71g executes the processes in like manner of the error diffusionsection 70c in the image data input section 70.

The compression section 71h compresses binary data in accordance with arun-length coding. With respect to the compression of the image data, atthe time of obtaining the final output image data, the compression isexecuted in the final process loop.

The image data output section 72 includes a restoring section 72a, amulti-valuing section 72b, an error diffusion section 72c and a laseroutput section 72d. The image data output section 72 restores the imagedata which have been stored in a compressed state into the memory 73,and again converts them so as to have a tone of 256. In addition, theimage data output section 72 diffuses errors of four-valued data whichhave a smoother half-tone expression than binary data, and sends thedata to the laser output section 72d.

Namely, the restoring section 72a restores the image data which havebeen compressed by the compressing section 71h. The multi-valuingsection 72b executes the processes which are same as those in themulti-valuing sections 71a and 71b of the image processing section 71.The error diffusion section 72c executes the processes which is same asthose in the error diffusion section 70c of the image data input section70.

The laser output section 72d converts digital picture element data to anON-OFF signal of a laser according to a control signal from a printercontrol CPU 79, and the laser enters an ON-OFF state. Although the data,which are processed in the image data input section 70 and the imagedata output section 72, are basically stored in the main memory 73 asbinary data so that the capacity of the main memory 73 is reduced, itmay be possible to process the data as four-valued data making allowancefor deterioration of the image data.

The marking discrimination circuit 80 detects the marking portion in theimage by using the image data that have been read from the CCD sensor 6,and outputs the signal to the image processing CPU 74.

The signals are inputted to the image processing CPU 74 from the markingdiscrimination circuit 80, as well as the operation panel section 39,the character recognition section 71i and the coordinate input section100. According to these signals, a conversion value calculating andcombining process and a per area variable magnifying and combiningprocess are executed.

In order to accomplish the conversion value calculating and combiningprocess, the character recognition section 71i has a function as amagnification recognition means, the marking discrimination circuit 80has a function as an interval mark recognition means, and the imageprocessing CPU 74 has functions as a dimension calculating means, aconversion means and a combining means. Further, in order to accomplishthe per area variable magnifying and combining process, the imageprocessing CPU 74 has functions as a ratio calculating means, a firstand second magnification setting means, a first and second conversionmeans, and a combining means.

The following description will discuss a sequence of the conversionvalue calculating and combining process in the digital copying machineof the present embodiment in accordance with the flow chart of FIG. 4.

At the time of selecting the marking mode, as shown in FIG. 5(a), asection which is desired to be measured on a document 50 such as a mapshould be preliminarily marked, and a reduction value shown in thedocument 50 should be preliminarily circled.

When the document 50 is set on the document platen 27 and the markingmode is selected (S1) by using the operation panel section 39, themarked document 50 is scanned (S2). Then, while the image data read fromthe CCD sensor 6 are stored in the main memory 73, the reduction valueundergoes the character recognition in the character recognition section71i, and the marking portion is recognized in the marking discriminationcircuit 80 (S3). Here, in the character recognition section 71i, notonly "1:1500" but also "1/1500", "one one-thousand-five-hundredth", etc.can undergo the character recognition.

After completion of the document scan, a discrimination is made as towhether or not the marking portion has been recognized (S4). When themarking portion is recognized, a discrimination is made as to whether ornot the reduction value is recognized (S5). When the reduction value isalso recognized, the recognized marking portion is combined with theimage data in the main memory 73, and the area of the marking portion isextracted (S6). Then, a dimension of the marking portion is found fromthe number of picture elements in the horizontal scanning and thevertical scanning of the extracted area (S7) (see FIG. 5(b)).

Here, when it is discriminated that the marking portion has notundergone the character recognition at S4, and that the reduction valuehas not undergone the character recognition at S5, a warning is giventhat the conversion value calculating and combining process cannot beexecuted (S11), and the process is suspended.

The dimension obtained at S7 is multiplied by the reduction value whichunderwent the character recognition so as to calculate the distance ofthe marking portion (S8). For example, when the dimension of the markingportion obtained at S7 is 200 mm, a calculation is made as to"200×1500=30000 mm", and 300000 mm is divided by 1000 so as to get 300m.

The obtained distance value "300 m" is combined with the image data inthe main memory 73 (S9) so as to be inserted in the proximity of themarking portion, and copying is executed (S10). In S9, when there existsa blank portion in the proximity of the marking portion, combining isexecuted so as to print out "300 m" on the blank portion, and when theredoes not exist a blank portion, combining is executed so as to print out"300 m" deeply and boldly.

In this way, a copy 51 in FIG. 5(c) is obtained, and the marking mode iscompleted.

Due to provision of the marking mode in the copying machine, when anexact distance of a specified section on a map, etc. is desired to bemeasured, an accurate distance value can be easily obtained only bymarking a interval portion and a reduction value on a document and byspecifying the marking mode so as to execute copying process. Thiseliminates troubles of reading a dimension on a map by using a ruler,multiplying the read value by the reduction value, etc.

The reduction value can undergo character recognition without markingthe reduction value by circling.

Next, the following description will discuss a sequence of a process inthe digital copying machine of the present embodiment when the per areavariable magnifying and combining process is executed referring to theflow chart in FIG. 6.

Prior to specifying process modes, a size of sheets is specified bypressing down a compensation mode setting key 38 on the operation panelsection 39 (S21). When a size of a document is not specified, the sizeof the document is set as the size of sheets. At this time, aspecification is done as to whether or not size of sheets is arbitrarilyselected.

After the size of sheets is specified, a compensation mode for executingthe per area variable magnifying and combining process is specified fromthe operation panel section 39 (S22). Next, while a document 52 of FIG.7(a) is set upward on the tablet board 100a of the coordinate inputsection 100 provided on the upper surface of the copying machine mainbody 26, a specified area and a specifying section are specified by thecoordinate input section 100 (S23 and S24). To specify the specifiedarea and the specifying section, an operator presses down two points Aand B which represent corners on a diagonal line of an area (rectangle)that is desired to be returned to an exact dimension on the document 52set on the tablet board 100a by using the point pen 100b. Then, theoperator presses down two points C and D, which represents the knowndistance, inside the rectangle indicated by alternate long and shortdashes lines, whose specified points A and B are on the diagonal line.

Next, when the exact dimension between C and D which is the inputtedspecifying section is inputted by using the ten keys 37 on the paneloperation section 39 (S25), a predetermined calculation is made so as toobtain a document magnification (R) (S26). Namely, the distance betweenC and D is calculated from the coordinates of the two points C and Dwhich have been inputted at S24, and the calculated distance is comparedwith the exact dimension inputted at S25. Then, a magnification of thedistance between C and D to the exact dimension is calculated therebyobtaining the magnification of the document 52.

When the document magnification R is obtained, a discrimination is madeas to whether or not R is equal to 1 (S27). When R is equal to 1, it isdiscriminated that the magnification is 100%, that is, the document 52has an exact dimension, and the compensation mode is released (S28) soas to execute copying process (S29).

In contrast, when R is not 1, it is discriminated that the image of thedocument 52 is variably magnified, the reciprocal of R is set as aninner area variable magnification specified by the points A and B, thatis, an inner area processing magnification E (S30).

When the inner area processing magnification E is set, it isdiscriminated whether or not the document 52 is set on the documentplaten 27 (S31). When the document 52 is set on the document platen 27,the document 52 is scanned (S32), and the image data read from the CCDsensor 6 are stored in the main memory 73 (S33).

After completion of scanning, the size of sheets specified at S21 iscompared with the size of the image data obtained by variably magnifyingthe specified area using the inner area processing magnification Eobtained at S30. Then, the residual copy area is calculated, and anouter area processing magnification is calculated from the obtainedresidual copying area and image data outside the specified area (S34).

However, when the size of sheets is not specified at S21, the size ofthe document is calculated as the size of sheets.

In this manner, when the outer area processing magnification isobtained, a discrimination is made as to whether or not the outer areaprocessing magnification area falls in the range of the variablemagnification in the copying machine. Then, a discrimination is made asto whether or not the specified size of sheets is suitable (S35).

When the outer area processing magnification is out of the range of thevariable magnification, and it is discriminated that the size of sheetsis not suitable at S35, a discrimination is made as to whether or notthe size of sheets can be automatically selected (S38). When the size ofsheets cannot be automatically selected because the size of sheetsautomatic selection was not specified at the time of specifying the sizeof sheets by S21, a warning is given that the per area variablemagnifying and combining process cannot be executed (S41), and theprocess is suspended.

In contrast, when the automatic selection can be executed (at S38)because the size of sheets automatic selection is specified at the timeof specifying the size of sheets by S21, a larger or smaller size ofsheets than the specified size of sheets is selected according to theouter area processing magnification, and a discrimination is made as towhether or not a sheet having the selected size is set (S39). When thesheet of selected size is not set, and the size of sheets cannot bechanged, as mentioned above, a warning is given that the per areavariable magnifying and combining process cannot be executed (S41), andthe process is suspended.

On the other hand, when the sheet of selected size is set at S39, and itis discriminated that the size of sheets is changeable, the size ofsheets is changed (S40). Thereafter, the sequence returns to S34 and theprocesses S34, S38, S39 and S40 are repeated until it is discriminatedthat the outer area processing magnification is suitable and the size ofsheets is suitable.

When it is discriminated that the size of sheets is suitable at S35, theimage data, which have variably magnified image data within the area bythe inner area processing magnification E, is combined with the imagedata, which have magnified image data outside the area by the outer areaprocessing magnification (S36), so as to execute copying process (S37).

Here, only the specified area is returned to the exact dimension, andthe area other than the specified area is suitably reduced according tothe size of sheets so as to obtain an copy 53 which is shown in FIG.7(b). Then, the compensation mode is completed.

In the above processes, since the document magnification R is smallerthan 1, and the document 52 which was reduced from the exact dimensionis copied in the compensation mode, the area other than the specifiedarea is reduced. On the other hand, when the document magnification R isgreater than 1 and the document 52, which was enlarged from the exactdimension, is copied in the compensation mode, the area other than thespecified area is enlarged.

In the above processes, since the exact dimension of the specifiedsection is inputted at S25, the specified area is copied in the exactdimension. However, for example, it is also possible to obtain a copy,which is variably magnified by an integral multiple of the exactdimension, by inputting the integral multiple of the exact dimension atS25.

In contrast, when it is discriminated that R is equal to 1 at S27, thecompensation mode is released at S28, but the processes after S28 can beexecuted without releasing the compensation mode at S28.

In addition, the specifying section and specified area are specified inthe coordinate input section 100, but it is also possible to input thecoordinates by using the ten keys 37, value up-and-down keys, etc.provided on the operation panel section 39.

This eliminates irresolution of discrimination as to whether an image ofa drawing on a document has the exact dimension or is reduced andenlarged, and uncertainty of a magnification of a drawing due torepetitions of reducing and enlarging, thereby obtaining an image of agood quality whose magnification is set definitely.

An image processing apparatus having the above mentioned functions isnot limited to the digital copying machine of the present embodiment,and it is also applicable to a digital printer, a facsimile, a scannerprinter, etc.

Embodiment 2

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 8 through 17, the following descriptionwill discuss the second embodiment of the present invention. Here, thosemembers of the present embodiment that have the same arrangement andfunction, and that are mentioned in the aforementioned first embodimentare indicated by the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 8, in a copying machine of the present embodiment, aplurality of control sections such as the scanner unit 22, a laserdriver unit 7 are controlled by a main CPU 101. An ROM 102 is used as anarea for storing a control program, and an RAM 103 is used for storing aparameter per copying machine and as a working area during execution ofa program.

The scanner unit 22 reads the image data of a document set on thedocument platen 27 which is shown in FIG. 1, and the image data areprocessed by the image processing section 71. The image processingsection 71 is an area for processing the read image data, morespecifically, an area for changing an image density and an imagemagnification at an user's demand, for processing the image data whenadding print data in a magnification-print mode. The data processed inthe image processing section 71 are outputted by the laser driver unit 7as a laser beam.

As mentioned before, the coordinate input section 100 is a tablet-typeinput unit, and as shown in FIG. 2, coordinates, which have been presseddown on the tablet board 100a by using the point pen 100b, is inputtedin the coordinate input section 100. Here, for example, when the pointsA and B on the tablet board 100a are pressed down by the point pen 100b,a length between points A and B is obtained by calculation. This makesit possible to input the length between predetermined points on thedocument. The operation panel control section 104 controls the operationpanel section 39.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are drawings which explain a variable magnificationcopying processes. FIG. 9 is a drawing which shows an example of settingcopying magnification. FIG. 10 is a flow chart which shows a sequence ofcopying processes. Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the description will begiven of the copy processes.

Here, based upon a document 111 which was reduced to 60% from its exactdimension, a copy 112 having an exact dimension and a copy 113 having adimension reduced to 70% of the exact dimension are obtained.

First, when the compensation mode setting key 38 on the operation panelsection 39 is pressed down, the compensation mode is set (S101). whenthe document 111 is placed on the tablet board 100a and the twoarbitrary points A and B are pressed down by the point pen 100b, thecoordinates of the two points A and B are read (S102).

An exact dimension α₀ between points A and B is inputted by the ten keys37 or the value up-and-down keys (S103). Next, a length α₁ between thepoints A and B on the document 111 is obtained according to thecoordinates inputted at S102, and the length α₁ is compared with theexact dimension α₀ inputted at S103 so as to calculate a magnificationR₁ of the document 111 to the exact dimension α₀ (S104).

If the calculated length α₁ is 12 mm and the exact dimension α₀ is 20mm, the magnification R₁ of the document 111 to the exact dimension α₀will be obtained as follows:

    R.sub.1 =α.sub.1 /α.sub.0 ×100=12/20×100=60 (%)

Thereafter, when the obtained magnification R₁ is 100% (the document 111has an exact dimension) (S105), the compensation mode is released(S106). After usual image processes (density changing process,magnification changing process, etc.) has been carried out, when a printswitch, not shown, is turned ON (S107), a copy process is carried out(S108).

When the magnification R₁ is 100%, the variable magnification processafter S109 is performed, and copying is carried out in an arbitrarymagnification Z₁ to the exact dimension.

A discrimination is made as to whether or not the copying magnificationZ₁ is specified (inputted) from the operation panel section 39 (S109).When the copying magnification Z₁ is inputted, the image data areprocessed so that the magnification of the copy 113 to the exactdimension will be the specified copying magnification Z₁, and amagnification E₁ of the copy 113 to the document 111 is set in anoptical system in the copying machine as a copy process magnification(S110).

In this case, the magnification E₁ to the image data of the document 111will be obtained using the following equation:

    E.sub.1 =(Z.sub.1 /100)/(R.sub.1 /100)×100

For example, if the specified copying magnification (magnification tothe exact dimension) Z₁ is 70%, the magnification E₁ to the documentdata will be obtained as follows:

    E.sub.1 =(70/100)/(60/100)×100≅117 (%)

Therefore, in the copying machine of the present embodiment, the copyprocess magnification is set as 117% to carry out a copy process,thereby obtaining the copy 113 of 70% to the exact dimension.

When the copying magnification is not specified at S109, the image datais processed so as to carry out a copy process in the exact dimension(S111). Namely, when the document 111 is reduced or enlarged, the datais processed so as to have the exact dimension.

In this case, the magnification E₁ to the document data will be obtainedas follows:

    E.sub.1 =1/(60/100)×100≅167 (%)

therefore, the copy process magnification becomes 167%.

In the above manner, when the copy process magnification is found, adiscrimination is made as to whether or not a size of a specified copysheet is suitable (S112). When the size of sheets is suitable, thesequence goes to S107. However, the size of sheets is not suitable, adiscrimination is made as to whether or not the size of sheets can beautomatically selected (S113).

When the size of sheets can be automatically selected at S113, adiscrimination is made as to whether or not the size of sheets ischangeable (S114). When the size of sheets is changeable, the size ofsheets is changed (S115), and the sequence returns to S112. When it isimpossible to carry out a copy process because a sheet of too big sizeis required at S113 or S114, a warning is given (S116).

The above-mentioned processes provide a copy 112 having the exactdimension or a copy 113 in the arbitrary magnification Z₁ (70% in thepresent embodiment) to the exact dimension.

In the above processes, the image data having the exact dimension or thearbitrary magnification Z₁ to the exact dimension are formed only bysetting the compensation mode and by inputting the length α₁ between thepredetermined points on the document 111, the exact dimension α₀ betweenthe predetermined points and the arbitrary magnification Z₁, therebycarrying out printing (copying), displaying on a screen and transmitting(transmitting by a facsimile). As a result, it is possible to easilyprocess the image data having the arbitrary magnification Z₁ to theexact dimension. With the copied image at the arbitrary magnification Z₁to the exact dimension, since an image of the exact dimension is easy tobe grasped, it is convenient for processing data of a drawing of abuilding, etc.

In the above processes, as to a reduced document at a magnification of60%, a copy having the exact dimension and a copy reduced to 70% to theexact dimension are produced, however, it is possible to suitably setthe reduction magnification and the enlargement magnification.

According to a sequence of processes shown in a flow chart of FIG. 11,the exact dimension α₀ between the predetermined points may be inputtedby reading the data of dimension line shown on the document 111. Thefollowing description will discuss this process.

First, after the process S101 shown in FIG. 10 is carried out, featuresof a dimension line which is in use for a drawing (description conditionof a dimension, a segment, a dimension value) are preliminarily storedin the RAM 103. The image data of the document 111 are compared withsample data for each block, and a discrimination is made as to whetheror not a dimensional line exists (S121). At this time, a discriminationis made as to whether or not a dimension is shown (S122).

When there is a description about a dimension, a value shown in theproximity of the dimension line is inputted as the exact dimension α₀between the points shown by the dimension line (S123). Further,coordinates of the points on the both sides of the dimension line (forexample, coordinates of points of arrows) are read, and the lengthbetween the coordinates is inputted as the length α₁ on the document 111(S124). Based upon the exact dimension α₀ and the length α₁ on thedocument 111 which have been inputted in the above-mentioned manner, themagnification R₁ of the document 111 is obtained (S125), and thesequence goes to S105 in FIG. 10.

However, when no dimension line exists on the document 111 at S121, thesequence goes to S106 in FIG. 10, and in this case, a warning may begiven.

In the above processes, when a dimension display mode is set, and thelength α₁ between the specified points on the document 111, the exactdimension α₀ between the specified points and an arbitrary magnificationZ₂ are inputted, the image data of the document 111 which have beenprocessed so as to have the arbitrary magnification Z₂ is added by amagnification R₂ to the exact dimension. Thereafter, the image data isprinted out, displayed on a screen, transmitted, etc. This makes it easyto recognize what magnification to the exact dimension the image datahave. Namely, since the magnification to the exact dimension of the datawhich have undergone image process is automatically calculated and thecalculated magnification is added into the image data, the image data,which have been printed or displayed on the screen, make it easy torecognize the magnification of the image and to grasp the exactdimension.

Here, to input the dimension on the document 111, the ten keys 37, thevalue up-and-down keys, etc. may be also used.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are drawings which explain a magnification display invariable magnification copying process. FIG. 12 is a drawing which showsan example of magnification printing. FIG. 13 is a flow chart whichshows a sequence of copying processes. Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, thefollowing description will discuss the copying processes.

Here, a copy 122 having a equal magnification to the document 121, and acopy 123 having a magnification of 83% to the document 121 are producedbased upon the document 121 which have been reduced to 60% to the exactdimension, and the magnifications of the respective copies 122 and 123to the exact dimension are printed in the bottom right-handed corner ofthe image. However, the printing place for the magnification is notlimited to the above-mentioned position.

When the magnification display mode setting key 41 on the operationpanel section 39 is pressed down, the magnification display mode is set(S131). When the document 121 is placed on the tablet board 100a, andarbitrary two points A and B are pressed down by the point pen 100b, therespective coordinates of the two points A and B are read (S132).

Meanwhile, the exact dimension α₀ between the points A and B is inputtedby the ten keys 37 on the operation panel section 39 (S133). Next, thelength α₁ between the points A and B on the document 121 is obtainedbased upon the coordinates inputted at S132, the length α₁ is comparedwith the exact dimension α₀ inputted at S133, and the magnification R₁of the document 121 to the exact dimension α₀ is calculated (S134).

If the calculated length α₁ is 12 mm, and the exact dimension α₀ is 20mm, the magnification becomes 60%.

Thereafter, a discrimination is made as to whether or not the copyingmagnification Z₂ to the document 121 is specified (inputted) (S135).When neither enlargement nor reduction is carried out on the document121, namely, the copying magnification Z₂ is not inputted, themagnification of the document 121 is used as the copy magnification R₂.Therefore, the magnification of the document 121 obtained at S134 isdisplayed on the liquid crystal display panel 42, and the magnificationR₂ (=R₁) of the document 121 to the exact dimension is added to theimage data so as to be stored (S137).

When the print switch is turned on (S138), the copying process iscarried out in the even magnification (S139). At this time, the copymagnification R₂ (60%) to the exact dimension is printed in the cornerof the copy 122.

In contrast, when the copying magnification is specified at S135 by theoperation panel section 39, the copying process is set to the copyingmagnification Z₂ so as to be executed at Z₂ to the document 121. Forexample, if the copying magnification Z₂ inputted by the operation panelsection 39 is 83%, the copying process is executed in the magnificationof 83% to the document. The magnification R₂ of the copy 123 to theexact dimension will be obtained as follows: ##EQU1##

The copy magnification R₂ obtained by the above equation is displayed onthe liquid crystal display panel 42, and added to the image data so asto be stored (S136). Then, when the print switch is turned on (S138),the copying process is executed in the inputted magnification (83%)(S139). At this time, the copy magnification (50%) to the exactdimension is printed in the corner of the copy 123.

In this process, the magnification is suitably set in like manner of theaforementioned process in the case whichever enlargement or reduction isexecuted. To input the exact dimension α₀, not only the ten keys 37 butalso the value up-and-down keys, a method for reading the dimension onthe document 121, etc. may be used. Further, to input the length α₁ onthe document 121, not only the tablet board 100a and the point pen 100bbut also a method for reading the coordinates between the points whichhave been measured, the ten keys 37 and the value up-and-down keys maybe used.

In the above processes, the exact dimension α₀ between the predeterminedpoints of the image data and the length α₁ on the document 121 areautomatically inputted, thereby saving a trouble of inputting.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are drawings which explain a variable magnificationcopying process for compensating a distortion. FIG. 14 is a drawingwhich shows an example of setting a copying magnification. FIG. 15 is aflow chart which shows a sequence of copying processes. Referring toFIG. 14 and 15, the following description will discuss the copyingprocesses.

Here, as to a document 131 where a distortion is caused in alengthwise/breadthwise direction due to repetitions of copying, etc.,the distortion is compensated, copies 132 and 133 are compensated to thearbitrary magnifications (here, two sorts of magnifications, 100% and70%) to the exact dimension.

First, when the compensation mode setting key 38 on the operation panelsection 39 is pressed down, the compensation mode is set (S141). Whenthe document 131 is placed on the tablet board 100a, and three points A,B and C are pressed down by the point pen 100b, the respectivecoordinates of the three points A, B and C are read (S142). At thistime, with respect to the inputted points A, B and C , a segment A-Bbecomes a breadthwise segment and a segment B-C becomes a lengthwisesegment, and each point is set so that the segment A-B and the segmentB-C cross at right angles to each other. Meantime, the exact dimensionsα₀ between the points A and B and β₀ between the points B and C areinputted by using the ten keys 37, the value up-and-down keys, etc. onthe operation panel section 39 (S143).

Next, to grasp the state of the lengthwise/breadthwise distortion of adocument 131, a length α₁ between the points A and B, a length β₁between the points B and C, and a length γ₁ between the points C and Aon the document 131 are obtained (S144) based upon the coordinatesinputted at S142. The value γ₁ ² is compared with the value obtainedfrom α₁ ² +β₁ ² (S145) based upon the lengths α₁, β₁ and γ₁. If thesegment A-B and the segment B-C cross at right angles to each other, theequation γ₁ ² =α₁ ² +β₁ ² holds. However, if a distortion occurs, theequation γ₁ ² ≠α₁ ² +β₁ ² holds.

When the document 131 is a copy, this distortion is caused due tolifting of the document, etc. at the time of previous copying. In theabove copying processes, the compensation can be made by respectivelysetting the lengthwise copy magnification and the breadthwise copymagnification. Therefore, γ₁ ² ≠α₁ ² +β₁ ² is changed to γ₁ ² =α₁ ² +β₁², and the coordinate of the point C is transferred so that the lengthβ₁ is not changed, thereby compensating a oblique distortion (S146).

Next, the breadthwise magnification R_(1H) (α₁ /α₀ ×100) of the document131 to the exact dimension and the lengthwise magnification R_(1V) (β₁/β₀ ×100) of the document 131 to the exact dimension are calculated(S147). When R_(1H) and R_(1V) are 100%, the magnification is notcompensated (S148) because the document 131 has the exact dimension.Then the print switch is checked if it is turned on (S149), and thecopying process is executed (S150).

In the above processes, when the magnification R_(1H) and R_(1V) are100%, the magnification is not compensated, but the magnification may becompensated even when the document 131 has the exact dimension byeliminating the process S148.

When the document 131 has not the exact dimension at S148, if thecopying magnification Z₁ to the exact dimension is specified by theoperation panel section 39 (S151), a lengthwise copying processmagnification E_(1H) and a breadthwise copying process magnificationE_(1V) are obtained (S152) based upon Z₁, R_(1H) and R_(1V) so that themagnification to the exact dimension of a copy becomes the magnificationZ₁. In this case, the magnification Z₁ of a whole copy is inputted asthe specified magnification, but the copying process magnification maybe obtained by respectively inputting the lengthwise copy magnificationZ_(1H) and the breadthwise copy magnification Z_(1V).

When the copying magnification Z₁ is not specified at S151, thelengthwise copying process magnification E_(1H) and the breadthwisecopying process magnification E_(1V) are obtained based upon R_(1H) andR_(1V) (S153). Thereafter, a size of sheets whereon an image is copiedis set (S154), and the size of sheets is automatically selected orchanged if necessary (S155, S156 and S157) so as to execute the copyingprocess. (S150). At this time, when the copying process cannot beexecuted because a sheet requires too large size, a warning is given(S158).

The above-mentioned processes compensate the distortion of the image asshown in the copies 132 and 133, even when the document 131 has adistortion of the image, and the copying process is executed in anarbitrary magnification to the exact dimension (for example, themagnification of the copy 132 is 100% and the magnification of the copy133 is 70%).

Here, in the above processes, when the compensation mode setting key 38on the operation panel section 39 is pressed down, both of thedistortion of the image and the magnification are compensated. However,the variable magnification copying process which is first mentioned inthe present embodiment, only the magnification is compensated when thecompensation mode setting key 38 is pressed down, and the both of thedistortion of an image and the magnification are compensated byproviding another compensation mode setting key and pressing down thiskey.

To input the lengths α₁, β₁ and γ₁ between respective points A, B and C,which represent angle suggestion data on an image, the tablet board 100aand means for calculating α₁, β₁ and γ₁ at S144 are used. However, α₁,β₁ and γ₁ may be inputted directly by the ten keys 37 or other means.

Furthermore, in the above process, after a distortion of the image onthe document 131 has been compensated, the copying process is carriedout at the inputted magnification Z₁ to the exact dimension by theprocesses shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, but the processes combined by thoseshown in FIGS. 12 and 13 can be also used. More specifically, after thedistortion of the image on the document 131 is compensated, the document131 is copied at the inputted magnification, and the copy magnificationto the exact dimension is added into the image data.

In the above processes, since the distortion of the image iscompensated, even if a distortion of the image occurred due torepetitions of copying, etc., an accurate image can be printed ordisplayed on the screen by compensating the distortion.

FIGS. 16 and 17 are drawings which explain marking processes. FIG. 16 isa drawing which shows an example of a copy produced with markings addedto the map. FIG. 17 is a flow chart which shows a sequence of copyingprocesses. Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, the following description willdiscuss copying processes.

Here, to obtain a copy 142, distance values at 5k intervals or pointmarks are added onto the map 141.

First, when the marking mode setting key 40 is pressed down, the markingmode is set (S161). Then, when a distance interval for marking isspecified (S162), and the reduction value of the map 141 is inputted(S163), an unit length on the map 141 is calculated based upon theinterval and the reduction value (S164). The unit length varies with areduction value on the map 141. For example, when the reduction value islow, the unit distance is set for 1 km, and the length for 1 km on themap 141 is obtained.

Next, when the map 141 is placed on the tablet board 100a, and a pointwhich represents a reference point on the map 141 is pressed down by thepoint pen 100b, the coordinate is inputted (S165). Then, the map 141 isscanned (S166), and the scanned data on the map 141 are stored (S167).Further, The reference point inputted at S165 is superimposed on theread document data, and the road is detected in accordance with thereference point (S168).

The road is detected by comparing with sample data of the road for eachblock of the image data on the map 141 based upon features of the road(segment or a blank portion circled by the segment, an intersection,etc.). When the road data is not recognized, the marking mode isreleased (S172).

When the road data are recognized at S168, differences in coordinatesare calculated for each block beginning with the reference points, andwhile the differences are added to one another, the distance is obtainedfrom the unit length obtained at S164 (S169). Then, the markings areadded for each distance interval obtained at S162 (S170), the combinedimage data whereto the markings have been stored (S171). Thereafter,when the print switch is turned on (S173), the image data stored at S171are printed out (S174).

As shown in FIG. 16, the copy 142, whereon kilometers (5k, 10k . . . )are added, and the copy 143, whereon markings (black upside downtriangles) are added at predetermined intervals, can be obtained.

As mentioned above, with this process, the markings are added to theroad on the map 141 at an arbitrary interval starting at the referencepoint, thereby printing and displaying the image data on a sheet ofpaper and on a screen. Therefore, it is possible to clarify a distanceon a road of a reduced map, etc.

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same maybe varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as adeparture from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all suchmodifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intendedto be included within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image processing apparatus comprising:imageinput means for reading a document image; magnification fetching meansfor fetching a magnification of the document image; interval fetchingmeans for fetching a specified interval on the document image; dimensioncalculating means for calculating a dimension of the interval on thedocument image; and combining means for combining the image data of thedocument image read by said image input means with a distance asdistance information which is represented by a value obtained bymultiplying the dimension by the magnification.
 2. The image processingapparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising reference pointinput means for inputting a reference point on a road of a map when thedocument is a map,said magnification fetching means inputting areduction ratio of the map, said interval fetching means inputting apredetermined interval on the road by an exact distance, said dimensioncalculating means comprising unit length calculating means forcalculating a unit length which is a length of a unit distance on themap from the reduction ratio and conversion means for converting theinterval into the length on the map from the unit length, and saidcombining means comprising road recognition means for recognizing theroad from the image data starting at the reference point bysuperimposing the reference point on the image data of the map read bysaid image input means, said combining means combining the image data ofthe road recognized by said road recognition means with marking data foreach converted interval which has been converted by said conversionmeans.
 3. The image processing apparatus as defined in claim 2, furthercomprising image output means for visualizing and outputting both thedata combined by said combining means.
 4. The image processing apparatusas defined in claim 2, wherein said road recognition means includescomparison means for comparing a feature of the road with sample datafor each predetermined block of the image data so as to recognize theroad.
 5. The image processing apparatus as defined in claim 2, whereinsaid combining means includes distance calculating means for calculatingan exact distance of the road from the reference point so as to decidethe conversion intervals based upon the unit length.
 6. The imageprocessing apparatus as defined in claim 5, further comprising additionmeans for adding the converted intervals subsequently beginning with thereference point to provide the obtained values as markings.